yes a lot of stuff went to scrap over the years that really could have been saved.

my grandfather tells a story that when he worked at millaquin mill as a young man he and a couple of others were tasked to take some old valves and other stuff to the srcappy so no one could save em they had one of the fitters cut them with the gas axe.

I'm in the same boat you are '88 and Kitty' though my boat is not even close to the same longitude.
From Palmer, AK to G&S Scrap in South Windsor, CT shortest rout is only 4,431 miles Southwest. To tell the truth my old truck leaks 30w oil pretty bad. I'm afeard these days that would be like a trail of bread crumbs to my door. Who knows how many old refugees would follow me home and that crosses Canada too. I have no idea what to expect from the border patrol when they see a long train of old equipment following me home. 🙄

Truly, if they were here they would have good stewards..
I hope someone snags them up soon. Mechanical equipment is becoming more valuable all the time and as the supply shortage strangles the world they will become priceless because they will run and are reliable.